Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens (DCP) party has announced that it will not be fielding candidates in the forthcoming by-elections. The move has raised eyebrows, with insiders claiming the decision is tied not just to strategy but also to Gachagua’s personal schedule.
Sources close to him reveal that Gachagua is planning a maiden trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the end of October, where he is expected to meet Mt. Kenya businessmen and Kenyans in the diaspora. The timing is being interpreted as a deliberate attempt to avoid an embarrassing defeat in the by-elections, which many believe his young party is unprepared to contest.
Within his camp, there are conflicting theories. One faction insists that Gachagua has simply given up on the races, acknowledging his lack of resources to mount serious campaigns. They argue that with little grassroots mobilization and poor visibility in the constituencies affected, any attempt to run would have ended in defeat. Another faction, however, says the UAE trip is far from a retreat. Instead, they believe Gachagua will use the opportunity to fundraise aggressively, seeking to return with the financial muscle needed to revive his political machine.
Insiders also point to a recent meeting of opposition leaders, where a budget of close to Kshs 120 million was presented to finance over 10 by-elections. It was reportedly agreed that the flagbearer party should shoulder half the cost. This, sources say, was a turning point for Gachagua, forcing him to withdraw DCP from the contests rather than expose its financial limitations.
For critics, the decision reflects a party still struggling to find its footing, with its leader seemingly avoiding the test of popularity that by-elections often provide. For his supporters, however, the UAE trip could be a tactical move, positioning Gachagua to re-enter the political arena later with more resources and diaspora backing.
Either way, as ballots are cast back home, Gachagua will be thousands of miles away, his absence symbolizing both the challenges facing his party and the uncertain future of his political ambitions.
